PLASTIC WASTE
- Plastic waste refers to any discarded or abandoned plastic material that is no longer useful or needed. It encompasses a wide range of items made from plastic, including packaging materials, bottles, containers, wrappers, bags, utensils, and various other disposable products.
- Plastic waste can be generated at various stages of production, distribution, consumption, and disposal.
- Plastic waste poses significant environmental challenges due to its durability, persistence, and widespread use.
- Unlike organic materials, plastic takes a long time to decompose naturally, leading to accumulation in landfills, water bodies, and ecosystems. Improper disposal of plastic waste can result in pollution, habitat destruction, harm to wildlife, and negative impacts on human health.
- Efforts to address plastic waste include recycling, waste reduction strategies, alternative materials development, and policy interventions such as plastic bans or taxes. Recycling plastic waste can help mitigate its environmental impact by diverting it from landfills and reducing the demand for virgin plastic production.
- However, challenges such as low recycling rates, limited infrastructure, and contamination issues need to be addressed to improve the effectiveness of plastic waste management efforts
Plastic waste can be categorized into various types based on their chemical composition, characteristics, and intended use.
Some of the common types of plastic waste include:
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Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE): PET is commonly used in the production of beverage bottles, food packaging, and synthetic fibers. It is lightweight, transparent, and has good barrier properties against moisture and gases.
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High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): HDPE is a versatile plastic used in the manufacturing of bottles for milk, detergent, shampoo, and other household products, as well as plastic bags, pipes, and containers. It is known for its high strength, resistance to chemicals, and durability.
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Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): PVC is used in a wide range of applications, including construction materials (pipes, window frames), packaging, electrical insulation, and medical devices. It is characterized by its rigidity, durability, and resistance to abrasion and weathering.
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Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE is commonly used in flexible packaging materials such as plastic bags, shrink wraps, and films. It is also used in the production of squeeze bottles, tubing, and wire insulation. LDPE is known for its flexibility, toughness, and moisture resistance.
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Polypropylene (PP): PP is used in various applications, including packaging (bottle caps, food containers), textiles, automotive parts, and medical devices. It is valued for its high melting point, chemical resistance, and lightweight properties.
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Polystyrene (PS): PS is used in the production of disposable food containers, packaging materials, insulation, and disposable cutlery. It can exist in both rigid (e.g., foam cups, packaging) and expandable (e.g., foam packaging) forms.
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Other Plastics: This category includes plastics that do not fall into the above categories, such as polycarbonate (PC), acrylic (PMMA), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG). These plastics are used in various applications, including automotive parts, electronics, and consumer goods
- Since the 1950s, there has been a significant surge in global plastic production. Starting from a mere 2 million tonnes in 1950, it has escalated to over 450 million tonnes by 2019. Projections indicate a doubling of this production by 2050 and a tripling by 2060 if measures are not taken to curb it.
- As per a study released in 2023 by The Lancet, approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated annually, with expectations of a 62% increase between 2024 and 2050.
- A considerable portion of this plastic waste finds its way into the environment, particularly into rivers and oceans, where it undergoes fragmentation into smaller particles known as microplastics or nanoplastics. These particles contain over 16,000 chemicals capable of causing harm to ecosystems and organisms, including humans.
- Furthermore, plastic production and disposal contribute to climate change. According to a report from the OECD, plastics were responsible for emitting 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in 2019, accounting for 3.4% of global emissions.
- While the details of the treaty are yet to be finalized, experts suggest that it may extend beyond merely imposing caps on plastic production in UN member states. The treaty could potentially outline guidelines on how wealthier nations can assist poorer ones in meeting their plastic reduction targets.
- However, negotiations for the treaty have been highly contentious thus far. Since the inaugural round of talks in Uruguay in November 2022, oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran have opposed plastic production caps and have employed various delay tactics, such as procedural disputes, to disrupt constructive dialogues
- Plastic pollution has become a global environmental crisis. Plastic waste contaminates land, water bodies, and ecosystems, leading to habitat destruction, wildlife entanglement, and ingestion. A treaty can provide a framework for coordinated international action to address plastic pollution and protect the environment
- Plastic pollution not only harms the environment but also poses risks to human health. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, have been found in food, water, and even the air we breathe.
- These particles can contain toxic chemicals and pollutants, which may pose health risks when ingested or inhaled. A treaty can help regulate plastic production and disposal to safeguard public health
- The production and disposal of plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Plastic manufacturing processes release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, while plastic waste in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
- By addressing plastic production, consumption, and disposal, a global treaty can help mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development
- Plastic pollution knows no borders and can travel long distances through ocean currents and atmospheric transport.
- Efforts to address plastic pollution must therefore be coordinated at the international level to effectively combat this global problem. A global plastics treaty can facilitate cooperation among countries to implement measures for waste management, pollution prevention, and plastic reduction
- Plastics are made from non-renewable fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas. As global demand for plastics continues to rise, there is growing concern about the depletion of finite resources and the environmental impact of extractive industries.
- A treaty can promote resource conservation and the transition to more sustainable alternatives through measures such as recycling, reuse, and the promotion of biodegradable materials
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty adopted in December 2015 at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris, France. It represents a landmark global effort to address climate change by committing countries to undertake actions to limit global warming and its impacts.
Key features of the Paris Agreement include:
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Mitigation Goals: The agreement sets a long-term goal to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius (°C) above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. Countries are required to submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
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Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country determines its own contribution to the global effort to combat climate change based on its national circumstances, capabilities, and priorities. NDCs may include targets for reducing emissions, increasing renewable energy use, enhancing carbon sinks, and implementing adaptation measures.
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Transparency and Accountability: The Paris Agreement includes provisions for transparency and accountability to ensure that countries are fulfilling their commitments. Countries are required to regularly report on their emissions and progress in implementing their NDCs, and to participate in a global stocktake every five years to assess collective progress towards the agreement's goals.
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Adaptation and Support for Developing Countries: The agreement recognizes the importance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change, particularly for vulnerable countries and communities. It calls for increased support for adaptation efforts, including financial assistance, technology transfer, and capacity-building, especially for developing countries.
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Finance and Technology Transfer: The Paris Agreement emphasizes the importance of providing financial resources and technology transfer to support developing countries in their climate action efforts. Developed countries are expected to contribute financial resources to help developing countries transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways.
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For Prelims: Current events of national and international importance, General issues on the Environment
For Mains: GS-II, GS-III, Environment, environmental pollution and degradation, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
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Previous Year Questions
1.In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? (UPSC CSE 2019) (a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 (b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999 (c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 (d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011 Answer (c) The concept of "extended producer responsibility" (EPR) was introduced as an important feature in the (c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 in India. These rules were established to address the growing concern of electronic waste (e-waste) management and handling in the country |
